Maddox waited until Adira had calmed before gently moving her off his lap. Her hiss as her ass settled on the couch gave him hope that perhaps she understood that she really didn’t want to give him cause to spank her again. A few moments later, he handed her a bottle of water he’d retrieved from the refrigerator.

“Would you prefer chicken or lamb?”

“I’m not hungry,” she said before draining almost half of the bottle.

“Lamb it is,” Maddox said, returning to the refrigerator and pulling two covered dishes from the interior. Pulling off the plastic wrap, he set the first into the microwave and while the meal heated, he gathered silverware and napkins, placing them on the coffee table in front of the couch. “More water, or would you prefer something else?” When she only shrugged, he straightened and shook his head.

“Adira, I expect an answer when I ask you a question. I also expect you to understand that while I can take care of your safety, it is your responsibility to participate in taking care of yourself. Now, do you want water, tea, or a soft drink, which you will drink as you eat every bite of your dinner.”

The look she shot him almost made him grin but the only thing he allowed to twitch was his right hand. Now that had her eyes widening and her butt shifting but also got him a verbal response. “Water… please.” He nodded and when the microwave pinged, he set the meal before her as well as another bottle of water. After fixing his food, he joined her on the couch, a bottle of tea in his hand. Halfway through his meal, which was surprisingly tasty for even a private airline, he used his fork to tap against the side of her plate. Hmmm, perhaps communication was possible without words, for that simple move had her cutting a bite off her lamb chop and putting it into her mouth.

Though it took her a full half-hour to eat, and several quick glances towards him, she did finish her dinner. “Good girl.” She ignored him but stood as he did. “No, sit back down. I’ve got this,” he assured her, picking up their empty plates.

“Where’s the bathroom?”

Maddox nodded towards a door and watched as she gave him a wide berth in order to reach it. Shaking his head, he disposed of their trash and was seated again on the couch, his boots up on the coffee table by the time she returned. Patting the cushion beside him, he did give a grin as she sighed and looked around. Unless she wanted to stand, the couch was her only choice besides the narrow jump seat folded up against the plane’s wall. When she gingerly sat down, he patted his lap and watched her eyes widen yet again.

“Why don’t you stretch out and rest? We’ve got a few more hours and there is no need to be uncomfortable.”

“I wouldn’t be uncomfortable if you hadn’t…”

“Spanked you?” he offered.

“Don’t use that word,” she hissed.

“What word would you suggest?” When she didn’t answer, he shook his head. “Adira, I don’t believe in sugar-coating reality. It does no good. Yes, I spanked you and we both know exactly why.” When she didn’t move, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Suit yourself.”

The only sound in the room for several minutes was the faint sound of the engines and an occasional whinny or snort from the horses. Finally, he heard a soft sigh and then felt her body shifting as she lay down, her head barely perched on his thigh. For the longest time, he could feel the tenseness in her body but when his hand dropped to rub along her arm, she didn’t protest, didn’t flinch and gradually relaxed. Maddox wasn’t sure if it was simple exhaustion or perhaps residual effects of the sedative, or perhaps a wish to escape the present, but whatever the reason, she was soon breathing steadily as she slipped into sleep.

Maddox continued to stroke her arm softly. It was only with her asleep that he allowed himself to consider everything that had happened after he’d opened the lid of the trunk. He’d not been truly shocked by her physical reaction once out of the trunk. After all, she’d already slapped him once and hell, if someone had put him in a box, he’d not be happy either. Even though it had hurt like hell when she’d kneed him in the nuts, a part of him had understood. But what had his mind reeling was her reaction to his punishment.

She’d fought like a tiger and yet he had seen her push her ass up as if asking for more. The fact that his cock had instantly hardened wasn’t a surprise either. Adira was a beautiful woman and he wasn’t blind. What had been a surprise was that she hadn’t made a single sound for the longest time as his hand smacked her ass. And the first sound out of her mouth had not been a plea for mercy… it had been a curse.

But what had truly shocked him… what had almost had him pause the punishment was what he witnessed the moment he’d yanked her panties down. The scent of her had instantly filled his nostrils and the glistening he could see between her thighs had almost cost him his dignity as his cock threatened to erupt inside his pants like some inexperienced teenage boy.

The woman had been aroused. Oh, he had no doubt that she would deny it, wouldn’t hesitate to curse him again, to accuse him of being some sort of deviant, but while her mind and her mouth could spend a lifetime in denial, her body told the truth. The trouble was, what in the hell was he going to do about that truth? Nothing… that was what he was going to do. He didn’t get involved with clients. He did a job. He protected them, he helped them move on. He most certainly did not get emotionally involved.

Her shifting had his eyes opening and his head lifting. When she turned to her other side, her skirt rode up, exposing a bit of still pink bottom cheek peeking out beneath the blue panties. His cock stirred and when her fingers brushed against his fly as she tucked her hand beneath her cheek, he went fully erect. It was pure torture looking down at her face, relaxed in sleep, knowing that if he were naked, the soft puffs of her breath would waft across his shaft. Stifling his moan, he moved slowly out from under her, placing a small throw pillow beneath her head and carefully tugging down her skirt to cover her ass. Stretching out on the floor, his arms folded beneath his head, he thought, “Speaking of denial… whose body is even now belying his assertion that he doesn’t get emotionally involved?”

“Sorry about the jeans,” Maddox said when she returned from changing in the bathroom. “You are smaller than I thought.”

“They are fine,” she said, “I like them a little baggy.”

Maddox knew that if that had even an iota of truth, it would be only because the extra fabric in the rear would ensure the denim wasn’t rubbing against her sore buttocks. He was pleased to see that the pale green t-shirt she’d pulled on fit perfectly.

“Is this drugged?” she asked as she accepted another bottle of water.

“No, but if you want a sedative…”

She looked a little hesitant but then shook her head. “How long?”

“Shouldn’t be more than an hour. It’s a few hours’ drive but once we are away from the airport, we’ll stop and I’ll let you out.”

“Isn’t there some way—”

“Adira, we’ve already danced this dance, let’s not repeat the steps. I really don’t want to spank you again.” He watched her face flush and her eyes flash.

“You’d like that wouldn’t you? You are nothing but a bully,” she spat out but immediately put one foot into the trunk when he stepped forward.

Where had the submission gone? The assurance that she understood and wouldn’t fight him on what was a necessity? Evidently the pain in her butt had dissipated and her little nap had revived her sass. Regardless, if looks could kill, he’d be dead. Yes, you do not get involved with clients, he reminded himself as he replaced the tray, closed the lid and made sure the straps were secure. After checking the horses, each one seeming to give him a look that spoke of their amusement that a tiny slip of a woman had his blood pressure rising, he strapped himself into the jump seat and waited as the plane began to descend into El Paso International Airport.

“Everything go smoothly?” Drake asked as he joined Maddox at the end of the ramp.

“The horses were great,” Maddox answered.

Drake chuckled at the answer. “Well, that’s good. Anson said they are on their way.”

Maddox just nodded, and after the customs inspector had signed off on their papers and welcomed them back to the United States, the trucks were allowed to pull up to the plane.

“Welcome home,” Stryder said, unfurling his frame from the cab of the pickup.

“Good to be home,” Maddox said, giving his brother a hug and another one being given as Anson joined them after parking the horse trailer. All four knew that any real conversation would not take place until they were alone. Once the stallions had been transferred to the trailer with the ranch’s logo painted along its sides, his brothers admiring each horse, Maddox asked Stryder to help him get the trunk. They loaded it into the pickup and at the soft “umph” that came with its landing in the truck bed, Stryder’s eyebrow rose but he remained silent. Maddox, however, bent down and whispered, “Shush,” before slamming the tailgate shut.

“Ready?” Drake asked and at Maddox’s nod, he climbed into the truck pulling the trailer with Anson as Maddox climbed into the front seat of the second truck beside Stryder.

After they’d cleared the airport and began the long drive south, the truck flew over a hill, hitting the dip with enough force to cause Maddox to hit his head on the roof. “Slow down!”

“I know how to drive,” Stryder said, shaking his head.

“No, you know how to speed,” Maddox countered. “I don’t care if you get a fucking ticket but I do care that when you are pulled over by some hot shot DPS trooper, some lady is gonna have plenty to say about why she is bruised from being bounced around while locked in a trunk.”

“Oh, shit,” Stryder said, lifting his foot from the gas pedal, “sorry, man.”

“Just start looking for a place to pull over.”

“There’s a rest stop about fifty miles ahead.”

Maddox shook his head. “No, nothing public… just somewhere where we can pull off and have a few minutes’ privacy. We’ve managed to keep her presence secret so far. Let’s keep it that way.”

When the truck slowed and turned down what was basically a dirt rut, Stryder was quick to apologize as the truck bounced again. Maddox didn’t speak, just nodded as finally the pickup slowed. He was out of the cab before they were fully stopped. Vaulting over the side into the truck bed, he began unlocking the latches before he realized that Adira was speaking. Well, not exactly speaking but cursing.

“Get me the fuck out of here!” she shouted, either her fists or her feet banging against the sides.

“Hold on, I’m working on it,” Maddox assured her as Stryder leaned against the truck, his arms folded on the edge.

“She sounds a bit pissed.”

“Wonder why?” Maddox snarled, flipping the last lock open and lifting the clamps. The moment he had the lid lifted, he said, “Shit.”

“Whoa, what’s that smell?” Stryder said, moving back a foot.

Ignoring him, Maddox had barely lifted the tray when Adira pushed up. She was spitting mad and it didn’t take a genius to understand why.

“I’m sorry—”

“Sorry? You’re sorry? I’m covered in… in shit, and all you have to say is that you’re sorry!”

“Look, it was an accident—”

Adira stumbled from the trunk and when she lifted her hands, both curled into fists, he shook his head.

“Don’t. I said I was sorry and it was an accident.”

“Well, so is this!” she said and before he could blink, she’d reached into the tray he was still holding and picked up the burst bag that Keith had filled with the sample from the tarmac at the Dubai airport.

Maddox didn’t move but he did stiffen. “Don’t even think about it unless you don’t want to sit for the next month. I know you’re pissed…” When Stryder chuckled, Maddox shot him a look. “Shut up.”

“Hey, I didn’t say a word,” Stryder said, drawing Adira’s attention to him. Maddox saw his brother give her a sheepish smile as he gave her a little bow. “It’s all my fault, ma’am. I suppose I was going a bit too fast. I humbly seek your forgiveness for my thoughtlessness.”

Adira hesitated and then allowed the specimen bag to drop back into the tray. Giving Maddox another of those looks that should have felled him on the spot, she reached into the trunk, grabbed her bag of clothing and then moved to the side of the truck. Without even asking, Stryder stepped up and easily swung her down.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Maddox called as Adira gave a quick look around and began to walk away.

“Away from you!” she said without even pausing.

“Adira—”

“Geez, I’m just going to change.” She stopped and turned to face him, one hand pulling the fabric of her stained shirt away from her chest. “Oh, excuse me, is that something I’m not allowed to do myself? I mean, since it was just my shirt and not my underwear, I thought…”

“Just hurry,” Maddox said, very much aware of the fact that Stryder was listening with interest, his eyebrow cocked and his lips twitching. Adira turned away and stomped towards a line of trees.

Looking down, Maddox noticed that several of the glass tubes had broken, their contents inevitably dripping through the small ventilation holes in the bottom of the tray. Okay, he’d be very ticked off as well, but she didn’t have to act like he’d intentionally bathed her in the crap. He replaced the tray, closed the trunk and jumped from the truck bed.

“Man, for such a tiny thing, she’s got a lot of spunk,” Stryder said, “and I don’t just mean all over her shirt. What is the purpose of all that stuff?”

“Diversion. Kept the officials from lifting the tray and finding Adira,” Maddox said, watching as the truck and trailer pulled across the entrance to the road and remained idling when Maddox raised his hand to signal everything was all right.

When Adira returned, she was wearing a new t-shirt, rust colored this time, but had the same pissed off expression on her face. Flinging the soiled shirt in Maddox’s direction, she veered away, evidently planning on riding with Drake.

“Adira, get back here!” Maddox said.

“Fuck you!”

Enough was enough. Maddox was not a man who suffered temper tantrums well—especially when he’d done absolutely nothing to cause one, and not when her very safety depended on her listening and following instructions. Leaving the green, splattered shirt where it lay, he strode towards her. “I’m not playing games with you. Get in the truck.”

“I will,” she tossed over her shoulder, “but not in any truck with you!”

Quickening his pace, Maddox managed to snag her a few feet from the trailer. Slinging her over his shoulder for the second time that day, his hand descended with a sharp sound against her rear. Instead of quelling her, it seemed to set her off. Her fists drummed against his back, her feet kicked his chest, coming very, very close to his crotch. “Settle down!”

“Go to hell!”

“The only one going anywhere is you, brat, and it will be over my knee if you don’t stop right now!” Another crack sounded and she squealed, her hands flying back to cover her ass. Reaching the truck, he dumped her into the front seat and immediately had to grab a fistful of her t-shirt, hauling her back as she tried to climb across the seat and out the driver’s door. “Sit down!”

“Leave me alone!” she shouted, flailing at him as he attempted to fasten her seat belt. The moment it clicked closed, he leaned closer.

“Unbuckle that at your own risk. One more sound, one more curse word, one more move, and I swear to God you’ll be kneeling all the way to the ranch because your ass will be so swollen and hot that you can’t bear to sit down! Is that clear?”

The interior of the cab was completely silent but she folded her arms across her chest, gave a single bob of her head and then stared out the windshield.

“What did you do? Take her batteries out?” Stryder teased.

“Shut the fuck up,” Maddox snarled at his brother as he slammed the door and moved around the front of the truck and slid into the driver’s seat. After a moment, he climbed out again, looking over the roof of the truck. “Give me the fucking keys!”

Stryder wisely remained silent as he tossed his brother the keys. He didn’t even flinch as Maddox gunned the engine. Instead, he picked up the green t-shirt, tossed it into the bed of the truck and then went to join his brother and father.

Was she really going to ignore him for the three hours it would take to get to the ranch? Evidently she was as they moved into the third hour with nothing but the twang of country western songs on the radio. Hell, she didn’t even turn her head to look out either window… no, she was as still as a statue, her arms still crossed and her gaze straight ahead.

“You have five more minutes before I’m pulling over,” he said casually, getting absolutely no response. “Four minutes.” Still nothing, not a single muscle twitched. “Two.” He had to give her credit for her stamina to maintain her pout even if that same ability was about to have him pull over and blister her ass. “You really, really don’t want me to pull over. It was an accident and I’ve apologized.” Watching the digital clock tick over for the fifth time, he sighed and flipped his turn signal on. The moment the tires began to drift to the shoulder, she finally reacted.

“Make up your mind! You told me to shut up and sit still. You threatened to spank me… again!”

“I didn’t mean you had to be silent the entire drive—”

Evidently with permission given to speak, she had plenty to say as she interrupted. “I had… shit and urine and… some sort of white slime dripping on me. I smashed my head several times. Every time I tried bracing myself, the trunk flew up and slammed back down. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t scream for fear of swallowing God knows what, and you lied!”

“I didn’t.”

“You kept me in there longer than an hour!”

“No, you were only in there for about forty-five minutes,” he countered.

Her exaggerated huff told of her disbelief but she did slide her eyes towards him. “It was fucking awful.”

“Don’t cuss. I know it was awful but it’s over. Unless you wish to continue pouting?” He raised an eyebrow in question and at the shake of her head, her arms falling from their crossed position, he switched the turn signal off and pulled back onto the road. As she slumped against the door, he gave her a few moments to compose herself and then said, “There’s water in the cooler at your feet and some aspirin in the glove box.” After she’d taken three of the tablets and finished half a bottle of water, he thanked her when she offered him a bottle and began pointing out some landmarks.

“The mountains you see ahead are the Chisos. They contain Big Bend National Park. Do you like to hike?”

She nodded and he continued. “Then one day I’ll take you up to what is called The Window. It’s pretty amazing and offers an incredible view.” He went on to tell her that the Rio Grande ran through the area, as did the Chihuahuan Desert. It wasn’t long before he flipped the signal again, biting back a grin when she jumped a bit, then gave him a look as he chuckled. “This road leads to the ranch,” he explained as he made the turn.

“Are all ranches in Texas so far from anywhere?” she asked.

“Not all but the Black Stallion is,” he said. “We’re about two hours from the nearest store in Glenrock and the nearest neighbor.”

“Not very friendly, huh?”

“We are as friendly as most,” he said, “just nowhere near as trusting. Look.” He pointed to the right and listened as she gasped. Slowing the truck, he allowed it to roll to a stop so that she could watch. A herd of horses was galloping over a ridge, much like the Arabian stallions had done on her land. Not all were stallions but all were beautiful as they raced in the growing twilight.

“How many?” she asked, her fingertips pressed against the window pane.

“We have over a hundred head,” Maddox said, pressing down on the gas pedal again as the horses dropped over a hill. “Another reason we chose to build out here. We wanted to give our animals plenty of room to run free.”

“Run free,” she whispered, lowering her hand again.

Damn, he could have kicked himself, knowing she had felt nothing except captivity though it wasn’t really anything of the sort. A few minutes later, he pointed again. “Welcome to the Black Stallion Ranch.”

A ranch hand waved and once he’d opened the gates, Maddox drove beneath the arched iron sign, columns depicting rearing stallions flanking each side, the name of the ranch above them. He watched her looking around at the land, fence railing bordering the road, pastures on either side. Climbing the rise, he took the right fork and stopped the truck in front of the stables where the trailer had already pulled up.

“This is but one stable,” he explained as he turned off the ignition. “We’ve got several scattered over the ranch.”

She nodded and reached for the door handle. “Wait,” he instructed, exiting the cab and walking around to open her door. She’d already unbuckled her seat belt and when he offered her his hand, she hesitated but accepted it, stepping down onto the running board and then giving a little hop to get to the ground, also offering a little groan.

“Sorry,” he said, “I know you must be a little stiff.” She shot him a look that he interpreted as “you think?” but didn’t say anything. Instead, she released his hand and stretched. He felt his cock stir yet again as the move molded her t-shirt against her breasts when she arched backwards. It was the sound of doors slamming that had him looking away. “We’ll unload and then go on to the house.”

“Okay,” she said and moved to the fence. He smiled when she climbed up the rails to sit on the top one, obviously ready to watch the stallions being led into their new home.

There were four of them and four horses, so it didn’t take long to unload the trailer. Maddox waited until the other three stallions were being led through the stable doors before giving her stallion’s cheek a pat. “I admit I’m shameless, but I’m counting on you to help our little lady feel better. Don’t let me down, all right?” he said, grinning when the horse bobbed his head. Leading him down the ramp, he’d barely walked five feet when the stallion stopped abruptly, lifted his head and whinnied loudly.

Adira’s cry was not one of pain or despair, it was one of pure joy as she jumped from the fence and raced towards him. “Oh my God, how… Zephyr… oh, God.”

Maddox stood back, holding the lead rope loosely, amazed as the tiny woman flung her arms around the huge stallion’s neck. The horse was capable of trampling a grown man and yet Zephyr blew softly, nuzzling Adira’s body as if he were no larger than a kitten.

“I wanted you to know that you aren’t alone,” Maddox said softly.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” she said.

Grinning, he moved forward and held out the rope. “Why don’t you say, welcome to Texas and take him in?”

Nodding, she gave him the first real smile he’d seen, her entire being glowing as she took the rope and after kissing the horse’s cheek, led him into the stable.

The others had already headed to the house but Maddox knew that Adira needed to spend some time with her horse. He stood on one side, she the other as they brushed every inch of Zephyr’s coat. She spoke softly, often pausing to simply press her cheek against the stallion’s body as if seeking strength. Maddox exchanged his curry brush for an apple, giving it to her to feed him.

“No, you do it,” she said softly. When he had, running his palm along the velvet cheek, she said, “Thank you.”

“You can walk from the house to the stables through the trees,” Maddox said. “But we’ll take the truck.” She didn’t protest, allowing him to help her into the truck, not fussing as he fastened her seat belt. As they retraced their path, turning left at the fork, ascending an incline that would bring them over another rise, he heard her gasp at the sight of the ranch house that stood on a ridge. It looked as if it were part of the mountain that formed the backdrop, the sprawling house nowhere near as magnificent as her home in Dubai but it had something he preferred. Instead of pristine marble and sharp angles, the logs that formed the walls of his home seemed to offer shelter, the mountains protection, and the woman standing on the porch waving a tea-towel looked ready to open her arms and accept a scared stranger and offer her comfort.

“That’s Jennie,” he said, as he lifted her down once again. “She’s our housekeeper, our surrogate mom, quite a character and, I promise you, the best friend a person could ever have.”

Though she looked quite skeptical, the moment Jennie ran down the steps of the porch and wrapped her arms around Adira, the young woman clung to her and promptly burst into tears.